Maasvlakte beach
, ,

Maasvlakte Beach, a paradise of its own

Every summer, our little family would venture outside Rotterdam to go the beach since we are usually holed up in a nearby campsite in Oostvorne. Just a few minutes drive along the Maasvlakte 2, a massive extension of the Europoort Port…
Suriname
, , ,

Suri-where?

Why would anyone go to Suriname if you’re not a nostalgic Dutch or someone just looking for a wild adventure? Simple, this tiny country is a world itself—breaking out from its colonial history while embracing its mixed heritage. Tucked between…
road trip
, , , ,

3 road trips with kids to make from the Netherlands part 1 France

Spring is already here and I am sure you have already started thinking about your next family trip. No matter if you are planning a break for the upcoming bank holidays or your summer vacations, these road trips with kids are perfect for anyone…
Tulip fields
, , , ,

Tulip fields in Holland: where and when to go?

Every year, 2 million tourists come to Holland to see the Tulip fields. Most people will go to Keukenhof, and if you want to make a photo of the background with the fields, you will need to stand in a line. When to see the Tulip fields? The…
, , ,

Genieten—go enjoy yourself!

On a recent trip to Suriname, the only Dutch-speaking country in Latin America, I come to appreciate the word ‘genieten’ (verb). As a foreigner, you often hear this word from the Dutch but I seem to take it for granted because the word itself…
summer
, , ,

How to spend summer in Holland and survive?

When I just moved to Holland, my expats' friends told me I would need a summer coat! I was laughing. It's hard to believe but today I have five summer coats and five pairs of leather waterproof sneakers as I can only wear sandals during super…
Keukenhof spring garden
, , , , , , , , , , ,

Keukenhof Spring Garden open 22 March-13 May 2018

Keukenhof, the world’s most beautiful spring garden, opens its doors from 22 March to 13 May 2018. Keukenhof Spring Garden Keukenhof (“Kitchen garden”, also known as the Garden of Europe), is one of the world’s largest flower…
Experience Haarlemmermeer
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Experience Haarlemmermeer Fair 2018

Get information, meet services and businesses, attend free workshops and presentations, enjoy a stand up comedy, live music, networking, meeting people and having fun! Free professional childcare and kids entertainment is available during…
Geluksroute Haarlem 2018
, , , , , , ,

Geluksroute Haarlem 2018

Geluksroute (Happiness Route) is a relaxed way of sharing happiness, which makes for inspiring meetings and wonderful discoveries. Discover it on Saturday the 3rd of February 2018 and Sunday the 4th of February 2018 in Haarlem. The invitation…
New Year's Drink 2018
, , , , , , , , , ,

New Year's Comedy Night & Drink 2018

Join the Haarlem New Year's Comedy Night 2018 and/or the expatsHaarlem New Year's Drink 2018 on Friday evening, 26 January, in the gorgeous ancient building of the Societeit Vereeniging Haarlem. New Year's Comedy Night Attend the funniest…
Christmas Market
, , , , , , , , , , ,

Haarlem’s Christmas Market Photo Walk

The Christmas Market in Haarlem is one of the biggest and nicest Christmas markets in the whole Netherlands and Benelux.  Every year the city turns in a real spectacle. This year the Christmas Market will take place on Saturday 9 and Sunday…
Festival
, , , , , , , , ,

How to celebrate the festive period in Haarlem

December is here! To some its the most wonderful time of the year. This is what the city of Haarlem is up to during this festive period. Haarlems Winterbier Festival Come and enjoy the Haarlems Winter Beer Festival on the 9th & 10th…
Schiphol
, , , ,

Schiphol expects crowded Autumn holiday

Schiphol is preparing for a busy time during the upcoming autumn holiday. Schiphol expects around 3 million people will travel through Schiphol in the coming days. This is 6 percent more than the autumn holiday of last year. The airport…
traveler
, ,

10 Things All Women Travelers Should Know About Staying Safe Abroad

It’s not always easy being a woman. As much as we’d like to think that women travelers have the same freedoms as their male counterparts, this is not always the case. And as far as the feminist movement has come over the past decade, it…
Concours Hippique Haarlemmermeer
, , , , , , ,

A fantastic program during Concours Hippique Haarlemmermeer 2017

The Concours Hippique Haarlemmermeer comes back again. From Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18, 2017, it's full enjoyment in the Haarlemmermeerse Bos in Hoofddorp.   History Almost as old as the polder itself: the Concours Hippique…
Keukenhof Hotel Expres!
, , , , , , , , , ,

Off to the Keukenhof? Take the Keukenhof Hotel Expres!

The keukenhof wiil be open again from 23 March until 21 May. This season, the Keukenhof is within fast and easy reach thanks to the Keukenhof Hotel Epress. This shuttle will depart at 09:15 and 12:45 daily from Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol…
, , , , , , , , ,

Keukenhof, the most beautiful spring garden in the world is open

Keukenhof, the best day out among the flowers! There are more than 7 million bulbs in bloom this spring, with a total of 800 varieties of tulips. A unique and unforgettable experience! Besides the spacious 32 hectares of flowers you can enjoy…
Winteland Hoofddorp
, , , , , , ,

Winterland Hoofddorp

Experience a true winter wonderland at Winterland Hoofddorp. An ice rink in a fairytale atmosphere, crackling fireplaces, hot glühwein and delicious winter dishes. The Town Hall Square has been transformed into Winterland Hoofddorp. A place…
Haarlem Connect 2016
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

HAARLEM CONNECT 2016: THE EVE, THE MOVIE, THE PHOTOS

It was a night full of interesting speakers, performances, the Information Plaza and meeting other internationals. It was great to see you there. Here are the movie and the photos. Can't wait to see the movie or the photos? The Haarlem Connect…
Haarlem Winter Beer Festival 2016
, , , , , , ,

Haarlem Winter Beer Festival 2016

For the fifth time Winkeliersvereniging Raaks, Café Brilliant and Jopenkerk Haarlem join hands to organize the Haarlem Winter Beer Festival. The Haarlem Winter Beer Festival is this weekend, on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December, 2016.…
, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Haarlem Connect 2016

A night full of interesting speakers, performances, the Information Plaza and meeting other internationals. Inspiration, information, social networking and fun!  Join the biggest connection event for internationals in the Haarlem area! Presentations, a…
tuschinski
, , , ,

Amsterdam in the top 10 best European art deco cities

The American edition of The Guardian has proclaimed Amsterdam one of the best European cities for art deco design. Art deco’s straight lines and bold shapes were an expression of early-20th-century belief in technology and progress.…
taxi driver
, , , ,

Taxi driver charges tourists €485 for Schiphol to Amsterdam trip

Last night a taxi driver in Amsterdam took a group of Chinese tourists hostage because they refused to pay 485 euros to take them from Schiphol airport to their hotel in the west of the city. ‘He said it was the normal amount,’…
edge
, , , ,

New: Europe’s highest swings and thrill ride in Amsterdam

Amsterdam now boasts Europe’s highest over the edge swing. The over the edge swing let’s you swing over the edge (what’s in a name) of the one hundred meter high Lookout Observation Deck situated on top of the A’DAM Toren (tower), opposite…
airport
, ,

Travelling abroad with a minor child: check State rules

If you are travelling abroad with a minor child, you must take into account additional rules and extensive checks at the country borders. Check the information provided by the State to ensure your next holiday goes smoothly. Children now…
Greenjoy Boat Renting
, , , ,

Greenjoy Boat Renting Summer 2016: Special € 20 Discount for expatsHaarlem readers & members

Wow, it’s amazing.. SUNNY WEATHER IN THE NETHERLANDS! Can you believe it? Why not making the most of it then? The weather forecast seems to be pretty awesome for the coming week! Let's hope even weeks! Are you – like many others – eager…
train station
, , ,

NS alert service for train passengers who forget to check out

Today Dutch railway company NS launched a service to alert rail travellers if they forget to check out with their public transport smart card (OV-kaart) after completing their journey. People who sign up for the service will receive an…
Bloemencorso
, , , , , ,

Bloemencorso 2016 Flower Parade

Hey, did you know that the annual Flower Parade of the Bollenstreek is starting soon? The Flower Parade is a parade of about twenty floats and more than thirty special floats, decorated with an abundance of flowers. The theme for 2016…
Keukenhof Gardens open till May 18th
, , , , , ,

Keukenhof Gardens open from today till May 16th

Enjoy the fabulous sea of flowers of Keukenhof Gardens. With 32 hectares and approximately 7 million flower bulbs Keukenhof is the world’s largest flower garden and probably the most beautiful spring park in the world.  Keukenhof Gardens…
Linnaeushof, Europe's biggest playground, is open
, , ,

Linnaeushof, Europe's biggest playground is open again

Speelparadijs Linnaeushof: the biggest playground of Europe! So close! Linnaeushof is located in Bennebroek, a 15 minute drive from Haarlem and Leiden, just some more from Amsterdam and The Hague.  During the whole season (April till…